Deuteronomy 2: Victory Comes From God's Hand
Deuteronomy 2: Victory Comes From God's Hand
Collin Leong. June 2026
Note: Recalling Journey From Map Site 4 to 12
(v1-25) The Wilderness Years
Exp: Their wilderness journey is now going towards the Red Sea (Map Site 7) in the south but they are still in Seir (Map Site 6). The LORD told them to pass through Edom, ancestors from Esau, brother of Jacob. But God told them not to fight with them as He has given that land to Esau. (Recalling Numbers 20-21)
(v6-8) You shall purchase food from them with money, that you may eat, and you shall also buy water from them with money, that you may drink. For the LORD has blessed you in all the work of you hands. He knows your going through this great wilderness. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you. You have lacked nothing. So we went on, away from our brothers, the people of Esau, away from the Arabah road from Elath and Ezion-geber. And we turned and went in the direction of the wilderness of Moab.
Elath and Ezion-geber: These were two vital, strategic port cities located right next to each other at the very northern tip of the Red Sea (modern-day Aqaba in Jordan and Eilat in Israel (see map). Once they hit that southern bottleneck - they "turned" from Elath and Ezion-geber and headed northeast up the eastern desert border of Edom and Moab.
(v9) And the LORD said to me, 'Do not harass Moab or contend with them in battle, for I will not give you any of their land, because I have given Ar to the people of Lot for a possession.
Exp: North of Edom is Moab (Map Site 9). The Israelites are said to have entered Moab in Numbers 22:1, where they camped “in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho.” Ar was the principal city of Moab, located near the Arnon River, which formed Moab’s northern boundary.
Lot was Abraham’s nephew (Genesis 11–19). After fleeing Sodom, Lot’s daughters bore sons by him - Moab through his eldest daughter, and Ben-Ammi from his younger daughter, who was the ancestor of the Ammonites.
(v10-12) (The Emim formerly lived there, a people great and many, and tall as the Anakim. Like the Anakim they are also counted as Rephaim, but the Moabites call them Emim. The Horites also lived is Seir formerly, but the people of Esau dispossessed them and destroyed them and settled in their place, as Israel did to the land of their possession.
Exp: Moses is reminding Israel that the land of Moab was once inhabited by a formidable race—the Emim (Gen14:5). Their name means “the terrifying ones.” They were a giant-like people, similar in stature to the Anakim (Num 13:33). Moab defeated them and took their land.
Rephaim is a broader category of ancient giant peoples, often associated with dread and supernatural strength. The Emim were considered part of this group.
There's another ancient people who lived in Mount Seir, called the Horites. The Edomites (Esau's descendants) displaced the Horites and took Seir as their inheritance. Just as God gave Edom their land, He would give Israel theirs.
(13-15) 'Now rise up and go over the brook Zered.' So we went over the brook Zered. And the time from our leaving Kadesh-barnea until we crossed the brook Zered was 38 years, until the entire generation, that is, the men of war, had perished from the camp. For indeed the hand of the LORD was against them, to destroy them from the camp, until they had perished.
Exp: Chronologically, the Kadesh-barnea (Map site 4) mentioned in v14 was the first time they came to Kadesh on year 2 from Egypt. They rebel against God by refusing to attack the Canaanites, and God cursed all the men 20 years and older that they will all die in the wilderness, before the rest enters into the promised land. (Num 14:25-35).
There were no details about the 38 years of wondering in Numbers. Num 15-19 was not about their journey but about the laws and one event about Korah's rebellion (Num 16-17). The only indication of where they camp is listed in Numbers 33. (See my blog on Numbers 33.)
In Num 20, they came back to Kadesh again. This circular journey took them 38 years (or 40 years from Egypt.) This was where Miriam died, and where Moses strike the rock. Numbers did not record that God said to go up to the brook of Zered. But they did moved from Kadesh to Zered in Num 21:10-12.
Then in Num 22:1 they finally arrived and settle in the plains of Moab, after defeating the Amalekites (King Sihon and King Og). All this happened within one year. (The same year when they arrive at Kadesh the second time.) And then Moses spoke about Deuteronomy and died.
(v16-19) "As soon as the men of war had perished, the Lord said to me: 'Today you are to cross the border of Moab at Ar. And when you approach the territory of the people of Ammon, do not harass them or contend with them, for I will not give you their land, because I have given it to the sons of Lot for possession.'
Exp: In Num 21:11-13. the Israelites moved to the Arnon river, the northern border of Moab. The city of Ar is by the side of Arnon river (Map site 10). In Num 22:1, it says that the Israelites traveled on and camp in the plains of Moab, at the Jordan river near Jericho on the other side of the river (Map site 11).
The Ammonites are descendants of Lot, through his youngest daughter who bore Ben-Ammi. His descendent was the Ammonites. (Gen 19:36-38) Ammon was in the hill country around the Jabbok river, north east of the Amorites land. Israel conquered the Amorites after crossing over the Arnon river (Num 21:21-31; 33-35). But they didn't go into the land of the Ammonites, according to what the Lord commanded them.
(v20-22) "(It is also counted as a land of Rephaim, who formerly lived there - but the Ammonites call them Zamsummim - a people great and many, and tall as the Anakim, but the LORD destroyed them before the Ammonites, and they dispossessed them and settle in their place, as he did for the people of Esau, who lived in Seir, when he destroyed the Horites before them and they settled in their place until this day.
Exp: Zamzummim is also called Zuzim in Genesis 14:5. In Genesis, they were defeated by Chedorlaomer’s coalition, but some of them still live there. Then sometime in the future, the Ammonites took over their land permanently.
(v23) As for the Avvim, who lived in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim, who came from Caphtor, destroyed them and settled in their place.)
Exp: Moses shift to another place - Gaza, where the Avvim used to live. The Caphtorim, often related to Crete or broader Aegean region, who displaced Avvim and settled in their territory. The Caphtorim are associated with the early Philistines. Genesis 10:14 / 1 Chron 1:12: Lists the Caphtorim among the descendants of Mizraim (Egypt), noting that “from them came the Philistines.” (See Jer 47:4; Amos 9:7 in the Appendix)
Though this example is outside Israel's immediate route, Moses is illustrating a broader principle: God gives lands to nations by dispossessing others, and Israel’s conquest of the Amorites fits into this same divine pattern.
(v24-37) The Defeat of King Sihon
(v24-25) 'Rise up, set out you journey and go over the Valley of the Arnon. Behold, I have given into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land. Begin to take possession, and contend with him in battle. This day I will begin to put the dread and fear of you on the peoples who are under the whole heaven, who shall hear the report of you and shall tremble and be in anguish because of you.'
Exp: God already knew what King Sihon will say or do, when Israel ask for a peaceful passage to the north of Amelekite. God had predicted that they will war against the Amorites and they will win and take possession of their land. This is so that everyone will know that Israel is a powerful force as they are under the mighty God.
(v26-30) "So I sent messengers from the wilderness of Kedemoth to Sihon the king of Heshbon, with words of peace, saying 'Let me pass through your land. I will go only by the road; I will turn aside neither to the right nor to the left. You shall sell me food and water for money. Only let me pass through on foot, as the sons of Esau in Seir and the Moabites in Ar did for me, until I go over the Jordan into the land that the LORD is giving to us.' But Sihon would not let us pass by him, for the LORD your God has hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate, that he might give him into your hand, as it has been done today"
Exp: This recalls Num 21:21-26 - Israel sends messengers to King Sihon asking for peaceful passage. Israel is trying to cross the Jordan above the Amorites territory towards the promise land. Israel had no intention to have conflict with the Amorites. But Sihon refuses and attacks Israel. Israel defeats him and takes possession of his land from the Arnon River to the Jabbok River. (Numbers did not mention Kedemoth, but now we know where the messengers were sent.)
In v29, it says that the "sons of Esau" (Edom) and "Moabites" (Moab) let them pass through their territory. Actually, according to Exodus 20:14-21, Esau did not allow them to march through their territory through the "King's Highway", their main trade route. Edom came with an army to prevent them from doing so. Israel had to skirt on the outer border of Edom's territory. Because of that the Edomites were willing to trade with them and make a profit. They also did not go through Moab until they crossed the Arnon River (Num 21:10-13), which is the border between Moab and the Amorites.
So why did Moses said otherwise in v29? I believe he is only referring to v28, where they allowed them to buy food and water as the pass through in the outer borders. He is not saying that they allowed them to walk through their territories. He’s telling Sihon, “Others allowed us to buy food and water without conflict — you should too.”
(v31-35) "And the LORD said to me, 'Behold, I have begun to give Sihon and his land over to you. Begin the take possession, that you may occupy the land. Then Sihon came out against us, to battle as Jahaz. And the LORD gave him over to us, and we defeated him, his sons and all his people. And we captured all his cities at that time and devoted to destruction every city, men, women, and children. We left no survivors. Only the livestock we took as spoil for ourselves, with the plunder of the cities that we captured."
Exp: As said just now, God already knew there will be a battle and that King Sihon will be defeated and they will possess his land. The battle ground at Jahaz is above the Arnon river (Above Map point 10). Numbers 21 records the defeat of Sihon and that their land was given to the tribes of Reuben and Gad as their inheritance.
(v36-37) "From Aroer, which is on the edge of the Valley of the Arnon, and from the city that is in the valley, as far as Gilead, there was not a city too high for us. The Lord our God gave all into our hands. Only to the land of the sons of Ammon you did not draw near, that is, to all the banks of the river Jabbok and the cities of the hill country, that the LORD had forbidden us.
Exp: Aroer (on the Arnon river) up to Gilead mark the northern portion of Sihon’s Amorite kingdom. "The Lord our God gave all into our hands" - all their victories are give by God. The reason Moses is telling them about this war is to encourage them when they cross over the Jordan river to take possession of the promise land, starting with Jericho.
Key Messages
Deuteronomy 2 recounts Israel’s journey around Edom, Moab, and Ammon, respecting their God-given territories, and then their decisive victory over Sihon king of the Amorites. It emphasizes God’s sovereignty in assigning lands, the importance of obedience to His commands, the futility of human resistance against His will, and the assurance of His provision in battle. Themes include divine boundaries, covenant respect, obedience, divine judgment, and God’s victorious deliverance.
1. Respect for Edom’s Territory (vv. 1–7)
God commands Israel not to contend with Edom (descendants of Esau), for their land was given to them by divine allotment. Israel must buy food and water instead of seizing it.
Application: Believers are reminded that God sets boundaries and honors His promises to all peoples. Respecting others’ inheritance reflects trust in God’s provision. Faith means waiting for God’s timing rather than grasping at what is not ours.
2. Respect for Moab’s Territory (vv. 8–15)
Israel is told not to harass Moab, descendants of Lot. Their land is theirs by divine gift. Israel must pass by peacefully, skirting their borders.
Application: God calls His people to humility and restraint. Not every opportunity is meant to be seized; some are meant to be bypassed. Obedience sometimes means saying “no” to conquest and “yes” to patience.
3. Respect for Ammon’s Territory (vv. 16–23)
Israel is likewise forbidden to fight Ammon, another descendant of Lot. God reminds them that He has displaced other peoples (the Zamsummim) for Ammon’s sake.
Application: Believers are reminded that God’s justice and sovereignty extend beyond their own story. He cares for all nations. Trusting God means recognizing His dealings with others and not coveting what He has given them.
4. Command to Confront Sihon (vv. 24–25)
Unlike Edom, Moab, and Ammon, Israel is commanded to rise and take possession of Sihon’s land. God promises to put dread of Israel upon the nations.
Application: Faith requires discernment: knowing when to refrain and when to act. Believers must be ready to move forward when God opens the door, trusting His power to overcome opposition.
5. Israel’s Peaceful Request and Sihon’s Refusal (vv. 26–30)
Israel sends messengers from Kedemoth, offering peaceful passage and commerce. Sihon refuses, hardening his heart, which God uses to deliver him into Israel’s hand.
Application: Believers are reminded that God’s purposes stand even when human hearts resist. Opposition may be the very means God uses to fulfill His promises. Trusting Him means seeing rejection as part of His plan.
6. Victory over Sihon and Possession of His Land (vv. 31–37)
Israel defeats Sihon, capturing his cities from Aroer to Gilead. None could withstand them, for God gave them victory.
Application: God’s people are assured that when He commands battle, He also grants victory. Believers can face daunting challenges with confidence, knowing that no obstacle is “too high” when God fights for them.
In summary: Deuteronomy 2 teaches the balance of restraint and conquest — respecting boundaries God has set, while boldly advancing where He commands. It shows that obedience is not passive but discerning, and victory comes only by God’s hand.
Appendix
1. Verses
Jeremiah 47:4: “…for the LORD is destroying the Philistines, the remnant from the coasts of Caphtor.”
Amos 9:7: “Did I not bring Israel up from Egypt, the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Arameans from Kir?”
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